Essential oil, dry soluble solids and ascorbic acid content of fresh, ecologically grown mint

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the differences in chemical content of ecologically grown Mentha plants in Lithuania. Plants of mint genus (Mentha sp.) belong to the Labiatae family. The genus is one of the most important aromatic plants genus in the world. Mentha genus comprises 20–30 species, while in Lithuania grows about 11. Many kinds of this genus plants are used in pharmacy, perfumery, culinary and also in agronomy in plant protection. Mint leaves are refreshing, with anti-spasmodic, anti-asthmatic, sweat promoting, anti-inflammatory properties. The quantity of biologically active substances in the plants depends on genotype, soil, climatic conditions, fertilization and postharvest treatments. The organic method of cultivation of aromatic plants has the advantage that plants accumulate more biologically active substances than in the case of a conventional one. In mint leaves there was determined content of essential oil, dry soluble solids and ascorbic acid. The research results showed, that chemical composition depends on mint species and variety. The main indicator of the quality of aromatic plants is the amount of essential oil. The highest amounts of volatile compounds were found in Mentha gracilis 'Ginger' 0.56% and Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. 'Apple' leaves 0.53%, while the least in Mentha piperita 'Bergamot‘ 0.33%. The highest amount of dry soluble solids was in peppermint species mints, in Mentha piperita 'Bergamot' 14.20 (% FW), and Mentha piperita 'Swiss' 10.23 (% FW). Mentha piperita species accumulated more ascorbic acid than others. The lowest content of vitamin C was determined in Mentha spicata 'Moroccan' 0.80 mg 100g-1.